The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-10-05
Some of the Connecticut Blue Laws,
18th Century. i,

The statutes copied below, from sn
ancient volume relating to the history
of the American colonies, were enact
ed by the people of the dominion OF
New Haven -
The Governor and Magistrates, con-
vened in General Assembly, are the
supreme power under God, of this in
dependent Dominion.
| From the determination of the AS
sembly no appeal shall be made.
The Governor is amenable to the
voice of the people.
Conspiracy against this Dominion
shall be punished by death.
Whosoever says there is power and
Jurisdiction above and over this Do
minion, shall suffer death and the loss
of his property.
Whoever attempts to change or over
turn this Dominion, shall also suffer
death.
The Judges shall determine contro-
versies without jury.
No one shall be freeman, or give a
vote, unless he be converted, and q
mem Der in full communion of one of
the churches allowed in this Domin-
ion.
Each freeman shall swear by the
blessed God, to bear true allegiance to
this Dominion, and that Jesus is the
only King.
No Quaker, or dissenter from the es-
tablished worship of this Dominion,
shall be allowed to give vote for the
ele ction of magistrate or any other Of
| ficer.
No food or lodging shall be offered
to Quaker, Akamite. or other hereto.
If any person turns Quaker, he shall
be banished and not suffered to return
but on pain of death.
No priest shall abide in the Domin-
ion; he shall be banished; and suffer
death on his return.
Priests may be seized by any one
without warrant.
No one to cross the river, but with
an authorized ferryman.
No one shall run on the Sabbath
day, or walk in his garden, or else
where, except reverently, to and from
meeting.
No one shall travel, cook victuals,
make beds, sweep houses, cut hair, or
shave on the Sabbath day.
No woman shall kiss her children
on the Sabbath or fasting day.
The Sabbath shall begin at sunset on
Saturday.
TO pick an ear of corn growing in a
neighbours garden, shall be deemed
theft.
A person accused of trespass in the
night, shall be judged guilty, unless he
clear himself by his oath.
When it appears that an accused has
confederates, and he refuses to discov-
er them, he may be racked.
None shall buy or sell lands without
permission of the selectmen.
A drunkard shall have master ap-
pointed by the selectmen, who are to
debar him from the liberty of buying
and selling.
Whoever publishes lie, to the pre-
judice of his neighbor, shall be set in
The stocks, or be whipped ten stripes.
No minister shall keep a school.
Every ratable person who refuses to
pay his proportion to support the min
lister of the town or parish, shall be
fined by the court G2 and "a every
quarter, until he or she pay the rate OF
the minister.
Men-stealers shall suffer death.
Whoever wears clothes trimmed
with gold, silver, or bone lace, above
Is per yard, shall. be presented by the
grand Jurors, and the selectmen shall
tax the offender G30O estate.
A debtor in prison, swearing be has
no estate, shall be let out and sold to
make satisfaction.
! Whosoever sets fire in the woods,
and it burns a house, shall suffer
death; and persons suspected Of this
crime, shall he imprisoned without
benefit of any bail.
Whosoever brings cards or dice into
this dominion, shall pay fine OF five
pounds.
No one shall read common prayer
books, keep Christmas or set days, eat
minced pies, dance, play cards, or play
on an instrument of music, except the
drum trumpet, and Jewsharp.
No gospel minister shall join people
in marriage. The magistrates only
shall ioin them in marriage, as they
may do it with less scandal to Christ's
church.
When parents refuse their children
| convenient ludIIlaSeo, VIC AAaS SiStAo aus
shall determine the point.
The selectmen, on finding children
ignorant, may take them away from
their parents and put them in better
hands, at the expense of their parents.
A man that strikes his wife shall
pay fl ne of ten pounds.
A woman that strikes her husband
shall be punished as the court directs.
A wife shall be deemed good evil
dence against her husband.
No man shall court maid in per-
son, or by letter, without first obtain
ing consent of her parents. Five
pounds for the second; and for the
third, imprisonment during the pleas
ure of the court.
Married persons must live together
or be imprisoned.
Every male shall have his hair out
round according to cap.
The most beautiful thing in all the
world is a sweet, modest and obedient
child. Christ is satisfied with any be-
lever who becomes like such a little